Battery
Battery was an American straight edge youth crew hardcore punk band from Washington, D.C., that initially formed in 1990 and continued until 1998, with a brief reunion in 2012. Renowned for its vigorous sound and unwavering straight edge stance, the band toured the United States and Europe multiple times, releasing three full-length LPs—culminating in 1998 with Whatever It Takes on the influential Revelation Records. Vocalist Brian McTernan was simultaneously involved with acts such as Ashes, Miltown, and My Best Mistake, while guitarist Ken Olden performed in a range of iconic hardcore projects, including Damnation A.D., Better Than A Thousand, Youth of Today, Worlds Collide, When Tigers Fight, Fort Knox, and Hard Strike.
Formation and First Recordings (1990–1993)
Originally named “Fury,” Battery materialized in 1990 and put forth its first recording as a 7-inch on Deadlock Records in 1991. This early lineup featured Brian McTernan on vocals, Ken Olden and Matt Squire on guitars, Toshi Yano on bass, and Zac Eller on drums. Shortly after, these tracks were re-recorded for the EP We Won’t Fall, released in 1993 by Lost & Found Records in Germany. According to the liner notes, the band (at that point) would evolve into Worlds Collide when vocalist Matt Burger stepped in. Meanwhile, the Battery name would soon resurface.
In their early existence, Battery was well-known in their local Washington, D.C., scene but achieved a bigger following in Europe thanks to coverage from Lost & Found. The newly rebuilt lineup led by McTernan and Olden, joined by bassist Ben Chused and drummer Alec Rosenberg, brought the group its first consistent touring. This fresh roster yielded the band’s debut full-length LP in 1994, Only the Diehard Remain, which featured a cover of 7 Seconds’ “We’re Gonna Fight.” Olden contributed both guitar and drum tracks for the album, showing his versatile musicianship.
Rise in the Hardcore Scene (1994–1996)
Released in both the United States (Tidal Records) and Europe (Lost & Found Records), Only the Diehard Remain contained the raw, driven youth crew spirit that typified Battery. That year, the band also unveiled a four-song EP titled Let the Past Go plus a split 7-inch with Ignite, both through Lost & Found, helping to solidify their name in the global hardcore underground.
In 1996, Battery entered a key period with the release of Until the End, recorded with Jason Hamacher (also of Frodus) behind the drum kit. This second full-length was issued via Conversion Records in the US and again by Lost & Found in Europe, showcasing another classic 7 Seconds tune, “Young Till I Die.” Ben Chused departed to drum for Boston’s Ten Yard Fight, and Graham Land stepped in on bass. Land had already made his name in Worlds Collide and, alongside Ken Olden, founded Better Than a Thousand with legendary Youth of Today vocalist Ray Cappo. Battery spent the mid-1990s touring the United States (with Ten Yard Fight) and Europe (with Damnation A.D.), steadily garnering a reputation for explosive live performances and an outspoken commitment to hardcore ethics.
Final Album and Breakup (1997–1998)
Battery’s third album, Whatever It Takes, emerged in 1998 on Revelation Records, a label recognized for defining the hardcore genre. For the first time since the EP We Won’t Fall, drumming was provided by someone other than Olden. Jason Hamacher recorded all drum parts, adding another dynamic layer to Battery’s punchy sound. The band then embarked on tours across the US and Europe—often playing alongside labelmates Better Than a Thousand, In My Eyes, and Speak 714—until the group dissolved in 1998. Despite disbanding, their imprint on the hardcore scene remained, thanks in part to McTernan’s recognized presence in hardcore circles, Ken Olden’s prolific band memberships, and the group’s vital youth crew style.
Subsequent Compilations and Reunion (2002–2012)
In 2002, the Spanish imprint Soul Force released Final Fury: 1990–1997, a compilation spotlighting Battery’s recorded output and reaffirming their significance to the youth crew movement. A brief yet memorable re-formation occurred in 2012 for the Revelation Records 25th anniversary shows in New York City, reuniting fans with the band’s intense stage presence and hallmark setlists. In 2017, Battery dropped “My Last Breath,” a new song preceding their For the Rejected by the Rejected compilation and a European tour, cementing a nostalgic but refreshed aura among longtime listeners.
Straight Edge and Lyrical Focus
Rooted in the straight edge tradition, Battery’s members often addressed personal struggles, social unity, and personal accountability in their music. While some of their earliest recordings directly reflected the youthful fervor of straight edge beliefs, the band largely maintained a universal hardcore approach that appealed to fans across different allegiances within the scene. The presence of McTernan—known for his passionate vocals—and Olden—whose signature guitar lines and multi-instrumental abilities shaped Battery’s compositions—underscored the group’s approach of melding melodic edges into straight-ahead hardcore aggression.
Band Members
Key Figures
- Brian McTernan – Vocals
- Ken Olden – Guitar, and occasionally drums
Additional Musicians
- Matt Squire – Guitar
- Toshi Yano – Bass
- Zac Eller – Drums
- Ben Chused – Bass
- Alec Rosenberg – Drums
- Graham Land – Bass
- Jason Hamacher – Drums
Discography
7-inch and Early EPs
- Self Titled 7″ (Deadlock Records